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	The March Meet’s Golden Anniversary Auto Club Famoso Raceway March 8, ‘08 Story by and photographs by Roger Rohrdanz

Not only is the notorious March Meet celebrating its 50th anniversary, it’s also the FIRST event in the NHRA’s new 7-race nostalgia drag race series called the Hot Rod Heritage Series. This high octane combination generated a field of 25 Top Fuel Dragsters, 30 Top Fuel Funny Cars and over 35,000 spectators from around the world. The Kern County, CA economy is expected to see $6.5 million from this single event. All available race slots were filled with 500 drivers, 4 weeks before the event! The Grand Marshals this year are Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen.



		March Meet Logo


	Spectators and racers enjoyed perfect weather. The inaugural Hot Rod Heritage Series running on the track, hundreds of Hot Rods packed “The Grove”, vendors showing their wares, and a cool swap meet provided plenty of excitement. A WWll fighter plane made a very low pass over the track and Saturday night after the races, Famoso put on an awesome fireworks show. Tragically, the March Meet was

saddened by the death of Sacramento veteran Top Fuel driver John Shoemaker. The 65-year old racer crashed during Saturday’s competition and was airlifted to the Kern Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife and son. “Our hearts go out to John’s family”, said Blake Bowser of the Kern County Racing Association. “It’s a terrible loss”.

Sunday began with more of that beautiful weather. The racing was a little behind schedule, but the Bowser’s and their great crew got the show back on track. The Top Fuel class saw “The Sheriff” Jack Harris pilot his dragster to a 5.568 et at 263.62 mph for new world record. In the Top Fuel Final Jack Harris beat Brad Thompson to take home to Kaysville, Utah his third March Meet title. Bucky Austin took the Funny Car “A” class by beating Steve Romanazzi. The Funny Car “B” class winner was Kris Krabill after he beat Michael Grekul from Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

Shoemaker and the 50th March Meet will live on in the memories of all who attended.

Thanks for the Show!

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Now here’s a pair! Ed Iskendarian (l) with M & H Tire’s Marv Rifchin.

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Hustler I looks right at home at Famoso. With Art Chrisman driving, it won the first Top Fuel Final at the first March Meet.

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The spectators always enjoy a Cackelfest.

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You know they’ll always be with us.

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Art Chrisman (l) and Tony Waters are being interviewed by Mike English. Art & Tony were the first Top Fuel Final at the first March Meet.

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The Grand Marshals this year are Don “the Snake” Prudhomme (r) and Tom “the Mongoose” McEwen. They are sandwiched by Blake Bowser (l) and John Bowser (r).

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NHRA Funny Car pilot Jack Beckman and in the background, legendary Roland Leong is checking track temperature

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(l-r) Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, Roland Leong, and NHRA Funny Car driver Ron Capps.

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The Bowser’s and their great Famoso crew get the job done!

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A tiny bit from 3 days of track action.

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Terry Capps driving the “Bubble-up” Top Fuel Funny Car.

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Kris Krabill guides the “Pedaler” Top Fuel Funny Car through its burnout.

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Over the 3 day event 35,000 spectators, from around the world, filled the stands

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Kin Bates (far lane) beats Darrell Waters to take A/Fuel Final. Darrell’s Dad Tony was in the Top Fuel Final at the March Meet 50 years ago!

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Don Enriquez (far lane) beats Bud Hammer to take the Junior Fuel B Final.

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Scott Parks (far lane) beats J.D.Zink to take the Junior Fuel A Final.

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Kris Krabill (far lane) beat Michael Grekul to take the Funny Car “B” Final.

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Bucky Austin (far lane) took the Funny Car “A” Final by beating Steve Romanazzi

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The Top Fuel Final went to Jack Harris who beat Brad Thompson to take home to Kaysville, Utah his third March Meet title.

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The 50th anniversary March Meet Top Fuel champion – Jack Harris & Nitro-Thunder

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